Experience Renting Hanbok at E-Inn: One-Day Trip to Changdeokgung, Gyeongbokgung, Anguk, and Insadong
Elaine.H
4 hours ago
Travel date: 2026.02.05
It had been ages since my last trip to Korea, and I thought I’d commemorate it by experiencing hanbok again. By chance, I saw the hanbok experience at Yeinbang on Creatrip, and since the reviews below were pretty good, that’s how I ended up having this experience to share.
Yeinbang location: It’s near “Jongno 3-ga Station (종로3가역)”, about an 8-10 minute walk from Exit 6.
Reservation plan: Historical drama hanbok (women) | 4-hour rental
What’s included: A full set of hanbok with underskirt, a coat (for winter warmth), an updo hairstyle, hairpin and accessories, hand warmers (in winter, the owner puts them in the lining pocket, it works really well), traditional shoes (but since there was snow on the ground the day we went, we didn’t change into them because we were worried it might be slippery), a matching bag, and a locker (for personal belongings).
We booked the 9:00 time slot. From choosing the style and color combination to getting dressed and doing the hair, it took about 40-60 minutes per person. The owner is a costume designer who has worked on quite a few historical K-dramas. Her English isn’t very fluent, but she was still super warm and chatty, and kept coming over to talk with us. She also has a great eye, if you’re struggling to choose, just trust her, she’ll definitely help you find the most flattering match.
Compared with some of the more well-known hanbok rental shops, Yeinbang is pricier, but the quality and fabric are honestly beyond reproach. Some hanbok use wire to hold the skirt shape, but Yeinbang builds the volume with layered fabric instead, so it looks very natural, while still keeping the fullness you want. It really makes you look elegant, like the lead in a K-drama.
After getting dressed, we first walked to Changdeokgung Palace, which is closer to Yeinbang. As an auxiliary palace to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace is way less crowded than Gyeongbokgung Palace. If you want to take your time sightseeing and taking photos, I really recommend Changdeokgung Palace, the overall value for money is even better. Most of the architectural design is actually not that different from Gyeongbokgung Palace. If you’ve already been to Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can choose to book Changdeokgung Palace’s Secret Garden, it looks different in every season, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But since we wanted to visit two palaces in one go this time, we didn’t book it. Also, I’d suggest staying at Changdeokgung Palace for about 1.5-2 hours, that’s already plenty for photos.
After a relaxed stroll and photo session at Changdeokgung Palace, we walked 15-20 minutes to Gyeongbokgung Palace (if you’re in a rush or don’t want to walk, you can also take a taxi). There were actually lots of travelers going back and forth between the two palaces, so you don’t really need to worry about people staring. Wearing hanbok while walking on modern streets is also a vibe of its own.
Because there were just way too many tourists at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the overall architectural design isn’t that different from Changdeokgung Palace, we mainly took a few photos at Geunjeongjeon Hall and then headed deeper into Gyeongbokgung Palace to Hyangwonjeong Pavilion. The scenery there is something you won’t get at Changdeokgung Palace. The lake is so calm, and with Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in the middle, it really gives off a Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo kind of vibe. If the weather is good, you can even see N Seoul Tower from Hyangwonjeong Pavilion. Since it’s less crowded than the main hall area, and the architecture and scenery are more distinctive, if you want photos with a different feel, I highly recommend this route.
After stopping here and there around Gyeongbokgung Palace, it was almost time to return the hanbok. Even with a 20-minute walk back, we still had plenty of time, no need to rush at all. If you want to see the changing of the guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can tweak the schedule a bit and still have a smooth day.
After returning the outfits, we chose to walk to Anguk and go shopping around Insadong near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Anguk has an overall old-world, traditional vibe, with lots of hanok-style buildings, so it feels different and charming to wander around. But personally, I think the shopping spots in Anguk are more spread out, so if you’re truly looking to shop, it might not be the best fit. If it’s for a date or a casual afternoon meet-up with friends, though, it’s perfect.
As for Insadong, I went without high expectations, but it unexpectedly became our favorite stop in Seoul. The shops along the street are pretty concentrated, but it doesn’t feel overly crowded. Food, drinks, shopping, and things to do, it’s all there. There’s also a Line Friends store here, and its design incorporates a lot of traditional hanok elements, it’s well worth a visit.
Our full-day itinerary was basically centered around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, and the pace felt both full and relaxed. We weren’t rushing to cram everything in, but it also didn’t feel empty. If you’re planning a one-day trip around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, I hope this post helps!
